Summary of Original Version

Amend KRS 342.0011 to define "medical professional"; amend KRS 342.020 to provide that failure to submit a statement for services within 45 days may render the statement for services ineligible and that denial of a claim shall toll the requirements to submit the statement for services; amend KRS 342.033 to delete "physician" and insert "medical professional" to allow medical professionals to provide direct testimony through a written medical report; amend KRS 342.125 to allow an administrative law judge to reopen and review any award or order for post-award request for vocational rehabilitation; amend KRS 342.140 to include unemployment benefits in the average weekly wage calculation; amend KRS 342.276 to require the commissioner to promulgate regulations requiring parties to demonstrate attempts have been made to reach a settlement and that mediation will be beneficial to resolve the issues; amend KRS 342.281 to provide that after an order of reconsideration has been rendered, subsequent petitions for reconsideration shall not toll the time to appeal unless the petition for reconsideration is filed to correct an order on reconsideration; amend KRS 342.310 to provide that if an administrative law judge determines a medical dispute was frivolously filed or filed for the purpose of harassment by an employer, its third-party administrator, or the responsible insurer, attorney's fees may be assessed; amend KRS 342.315 to add University of Pikeville to the medical schools that the commissioner shall contract with to evaluate workers, delete "physicians" and insert "medical professionals" qualified as "B" readers in cases involving coal workers' pneumoconiosis, delete "physicians" and insert "medical professionals" performing evaluations for injuries or occupational hearing loss; amend KRS 342.316 to delete "physician" and insert "medical professional" to provide at least one written medical report in filing occupational disease claims; amend KRS 342.320 to delete "physicians" and insert "medical professionals" fees which are subject to approval of an administrative law judge; amend KRS 342.794 to delete "physicians" and insert "medical providers" in the "B" reader list.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 342.0011, 342.020, 342.033, 342.125, 342.140, 342.276, 342.281, 342.310, 342.315, 342.316, 342.320, 342.794